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| United States Patent |
5,255,398
|
|
Flynn
, et al.
|
*
October 26, 1993
|
Flow control apparatus, system and method
Abstract
A water flow control device, flow control system and method of using
available swimming pool water for a source of water, adapted to be
connected to conventional swimming pool hose apparatus for rapidly serving
swimming pools for winter and spring cleanup. The flow control device can
be used to rapidly fill water tubes, consisting of large vinyl bags which
are used to anchor the four sides of conventional swimming pool cover used
to cover swimming pools when not in use. The flow control device includes
dual check valves, the first check valve controlling the flow and the
second preventing reverse flow, a nozzle, a hose section, a valve housing,
a flow control handle, a flow chamber, and check valve seats. The swimming
pool flow control system incorporates a source of water and an improved
flow control device, of 11/2" id., conventional vacuum hose and a
plurality of water tubes, a submersible pump connected to pump water at
high volume, low pressure, adapted to receive standard pool vacuum hose,
for anchoring a generally rectangle cover for covering a swimming pool,
typically partially filled with water when not used during periods of non
use, generally in the winter months and cold climates. An alternate
embodiment flow control system incorporates a nozzle control device having
a unitary check valve for flow control connected to an in-line disconnect
device and a union check valve having an internal check valve for
preventing reverse flow.
| Inventors:
|
Flynn; Raymond F. (728 Great Fields Rd., Brewster, MA 02631);
Flynn; Margaret A. (728 Great Fields Rd., Brewster, MA 02631)
|
| [*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to April 21, 2009
has been disclaimed. |
| Appl. No.:
|
817739 |
| Filed:
|
January 7, 1992 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
4/496; 134/174; 141/387; 239/574; 251/155 |
| Intern'l Class: |
E04H 003/19; B65B 001/04 |
| Field of Search: |
4/490,496,498,503
134/174
141/387
137/614.2
239/574
251/155,156,147,148,150
417/234,423.3
415/148,203,206,211.2
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| Re20604 | Dec., 1937 | Haldeman | 417/423.
|
| Re24909 | Dec., 1960 | Dochterman | 417/423.
|
| 4534512 | Aug., 1985 | Chow et al. | 239/574.
|
| 4909443 | Mar., 1990 | Takagi | 239/574.
|
| 4971048 | Nov., 1990 | Seeking | 141/382.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 155170 | Sep., 1985 | EP | 4/490.
|
| 1428426 | Mar., 1969 | DE | 417/423.
|
Primary Examiner: Recla; Henry J.
Assistant Examiner: Barrett; Glenn T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kahrl; Thomas A.
Parent Case Text
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent Ser. No.
07/559,683 filed Jul. 30, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,482, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flow control apparatus for servicing a swimming pool including filling
water tubes comprising:
a) a source of water contained in a swimming pool;
b) a submersible pump having an outlet;
c) electrical switch means for controlled operation of the submersible
pump;
d) a hose having an one end connected to a nozzle means and another end
connected to a union check valve means mounted on the outlet of the
submersible pump submerged in the swimming pool, comprising a flexible
vacuum hose having an annular collar attached to said one end of the hose;
and
e) nozzle means for controlling the flow of water through the hose and
filling a water tube comprising:
i) a housing having an one end and another end, the one end being adapted
to fit into the annular collar attached to the one end of the hose,
including an inner flow control chamber and having an inlet and an outlet;
ii) a check valve mounted within the inner flow control chamber; and
iii) control means for operating the check valve for opening and closing
the check valve;
f) union check valve means for preventing back flow of water in the hose
mounted on the outlet of the submersible pump and attached to another end
of the hose.
2. The flow control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hose includes a hose
disconnect means for relieving pressure build-up in the hose.
3. A flow control apparatus for servicing swimming pools including filling
water tubes comprising:
a) a source of water contained in a swimming pool;
b) a submersible pump having an outlet;
c) electrical switch means for controlled operation of the submersible
pump;
d) a hose having an one end connected to a nozzle means and another end
connected to a union check valve means mounted at the outlet of the
submersible pump for carrying water in large volumes and at low pressure
from the submersible pump submerged in the and filling a water tube
swimming pool, comprising a flexible vacuum hose having an annular collar
at said one end; and
e) nozzle means for controlling the flow of water through the hose
comprising:
i) a housing having an one end and another end, the one end being adapted
to fit into the annular collar attached to the other end of the hose in
sealable cooperation therewith, including an inner flow control chamber
and having an inlet and an outlet;
ii) a check valve hingeably mounted within the flow control chamber for
movement of said check valve between an open position and a closed
non-flowing position; and
iii) control means for moving the check valve between a closed position and
an open position comprising a piston sealably mounted in the housing
adjacent the check valve, the piston being movable between a extended
position and a depressed position wherein the piston extends into the
housing for engagement with the first check valve to lift the check valve
off its seat;
f) union check valve means for preventing back flow of water in the hose
mounted at another end of the hose for connection with the submersible
pump; and
g) hose disconnect means for relieving pressure build-up in the hose.
Description
DESCRIPTION
Background of the Invention
Swimming pools once installed are filled with water to the appropriate
level to provide areas for recreational swimming. Thereafter due to the
expense of the large volume of water needed to fill a swimming pool, and
for reasons of protecting the walls of the pool from freezing and
cracking, a pool is kept filled with water year round and the water is
treated and cleaned as appropriate from time to time. Pool equipment used
for cleaning typically includes a substantial length of "vacuum hose" so
called as it is used to connect with a vacuum system to clean the pool and
is generally standard equipment for pools.
Once the swimming pool has been filled however, maintenance thereof also
requires the use and transfer of large volumes of water. Generally water
used for such maintenance is drawn from a household system connected to a
municipal water system or well system, and as the volume being in
substantial amounts it is at a considerable cost to the user. Filling and
transfer performed by a user typically is accomplished by use of a small
diameter garden hose typically a half inch in diameter, and being of such
small diameter transfers of such large volumes of water requires an
extensive amount of time. When the cost of water used in pool maintenance
is coupled with the expense of hiring personnel to conduct maintenance,
the total amounts to a substantial expense.
A major item of maintenance of swimming pools is the installation of a
removable swimming pool cover and anchoring it to cover the pool during
the off seasons such as fall, winter and spring, as is appropriate. Such
installation includes placing the cover over the entire top surface of the
pool to keep out dirt and debris such as leaves, extending out and around
the platform edges surrounding the edges of the pool. Next, "water tubes"
comprising elongated cylindrically shaped vinyl plastic bags are laid
along the four sides of the pool on top of the cover. These tubes are
constructed in bag like fashion and vary in size from 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12
foot lengths in order to come up with the proper combination to extend
along the entire sides and end portions of the pool. Next the tubes are
filled with water, typically connecting a garden hose generally of one
half or three quarter inch diameter, to a faucet connection installed in
the household system in turn connected to a water system as a source of
water. This procedure is very time consuming and uses a substantial amount
of water, typically 150 gallons for a longitudinal tube and 100 gallons
for the end tubes. Use of the garden hose typically introduces air along
with water while filling the tube requiring venting and further slowing
the process of filling.
A second item of pool maintenance comes in the spring, known as "spring
clean-up" when the cover is removed and the pool is placed in readiness
for use for swimming and water activities. The areas are flushed with
water around the pool and the cover and water tubs are removed. The cover
itself requires a thorough rinsing, requiring a large volume of water to
accomplish a thorough cleaning.
It is desirable however to provide for an improved, simple, yet effective
flow control apparatus to provide for an improved flow control of water
used in pool maintenance, to a system employing the improved flow control
apparatus and to provide for a method of controlling the flow and
distribution of water used in the maintenance of a swimming pool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved flow control apparatus, a
swimming pool filling system employing the improved flow control apparatus
and to a method of controlling the flow and distribution of water used in
the maintenance of swimming pools.
The present invention comprises an improved flow control apparatus which
includes a nozzle control for providing high volume flow at low pressure
positioned in a valve housing adapted to be attached to a flexible hose,
connected to a pump for controlling the flow of water, particularly water
used for pool maintenance and for filling water tubes used for anchoring
swimming pools.
A simple inexpensive portable flow control apparatus and system has been
discovered for rapidly filling water tubes used for anchoring swimming
pool covers and for washing down swimming pools and equipment for cleaning
.
The flow control apparatus is adapted to be used with a swimming pool of
generally rectangular construction filled with water as a water source,
having a plurality of horizontally extending platform edges typically four
in number, a removable cover for seasonal use of generally rectangular
construction having a size substantially larger than a swimming pool to
cover not only the pool itself but the surrounding platform edges, a
plurality of water tubs generally twelve (12) in number to be filled with
water and placed on the four sides of the pool positioned over the
platform edges on the portion of the peripheral edges of the cover. The
flow control apparatus also includes a portable submersible pump to be
positioned in the water contained in the swimming pool as desired by a
user at such time as the water tubs are to be filled, a vacuum tube
typically a one and a half inch diameter having a one end and an other end
to be attached at the one end to a nozzle control apparatus and to the
submersible pump at the other for pumping water from the pool into the
water tubs.
The pump is adapted to be portable to be easily moved from one swimming
pool location to another at the option of the user and is provided with an
output port adapted to receive the other end of the vacuum hose to accept
water output of the pump. In use the pump is lowered into the pool to be
submerged under the surface of the water contained therein to utilize the
water contained therein for filling water tubs or for flushing the pools
exterior outwardly extending platform surfaces. Typically the pump is
electrically powered and is constructed to pump water at low pressure and
at high volume.
The tubes, generally twelve (12) in number comprise elongated cylindrically
shaped vinyl bags to be laid along the four sides of the pool on top of
the cover comprising eight (8) substantially long longitudinal tubes and
four (4) smaller end tubes. The tubes being constructed in bag like
fashion, varying in length to extend along the entire sides and end
portions of the pool. Each tube is provided with a filling means to accept
water from the nozzle control apparatus and once the bag is filled to be
sealable closed.
The nozzle control apparatus is constructed of plastic material which is
acid resistant is adapted to be fitted on the one end of a vacuum hose and
comprises a plurality of check valve means, a valve control means, a valve
housing, a flow chamber and a nozzle. The nozzle control apparatus is
adapted to be attached to the one end of the vacuum hose and has an inlet
and an outlet to permit water being pumped by a submersible pump through
the vacuum hose to pass through the nozzle control apparatus with the
check valve means open.
The flow control apparatus is adapted to provide a high volume flow of
water at low pressure for use with the submersible pump. The source of
water to be used is the water in the swimming pool. The hose connection
between the submersible pump and the flow control apparatus is the
conventional vacuum hose which having a diameter of one and a half inch
which is a plastic flexible hose which is standard equipment for all
swimming pools. The vacuum hose has one end and an other end and is
adapted for carrying water in large volume at low pressure from the
submersible pump submerged in the source of water comprising an annular
collar at one end at the one end and at the other end for receiving a
plurality of pool maintenance devices including a nozzle means and a pump.
The flow control apparatus may be employed in a flow control system whereby
water contained in a swimming pool is pumped by a submersible pump through
vacuum hose acting as a conduit for the pumped water including a housing
having a one end and an other end the one end being adapted to fit into
the annular collar attached to the other end of the vacuum hose in
sealable cooperation therewith having an inner flow control chamber having
an inlet and an outlet, a pair of opposed check valve means hingeably
mounted in the flow control chamber for movement between an open filling
position and a closed non-flowing position, wherein the check valve means
are seated on a valve seat, a flow control device for moving the control
check valve from a closed position to an open position to permit water to
flow through the nozzle control apparatus and out the nozzle, a valve
control means for opening and closing the control check valve to permit
water to flow through the valve housing from the inlet end to the outlet
end.
The method of the invention comprises providing water tubes to be filled
and installed on a swimming pool cover, inserting a submersible pump,
attached to a flexible vacuum hose, in water contained in a swimming pool
below the surface; connecting the submersible pump to an electrical power
means; attaching a flow control means to the other end of the flexible
hose means; depressing the valve control means to move the check control
means between a closed position and an open position; thereby permitting
the other check valve to move between a closed position and an open
position to permit water to flow from the inlet end of the nozzle control
apparatus to the outlet end and filling the water tube previously placed
on the outer perimeter of the platform of the swimming pool by placing the
water control apparatus in the filling orifice of the water tube. Covering
the pool is accomplished by placing a swimming pool cover over the top of
a swimming pool with its outwardly extending lateral edges extending over
platform edges of the swimming pool, thereafter placing water tubes on the
outer perimeter of the platform of the swimming pool cover; placing the
water control apparatus in the filling orifice and thereafter energizing
the submersible pump to pump water through the vacuum hose and depressing
the valve control means to permit water to open the check valve means to
permit water to pass in a high volume through the nozzle control apparatus
into the water tube all without pumping air entrapped in the vacuum hose
into the water tube.
In the absence of the check valves the water would drain back into the pool
creating a column of air in the hose which would have to be pumped out
prior to filling a second tub causing a substantial delay in filling.
In another embodiment, the flow control apparatus includes a housing
adapted to be attached to the annular collar connected to the other end of
the vacuum hose having an inner flow control chamber having an inlet and
outlet including a unitary check valve hingeably mounted in the inner flow
control chamber for movement between an open filling position and a closed
non filling position wherein the check valve is seated on a valve seat and
a flow control device is provided for moving the check valve from a closed
position to an open position to permit water to flow through the nozzle
control apparatus and out the nozzle. In this embodiment the second check
valve means is not included in the flow control apparatus, rather that it
is attached at the one end of the hose in a union check valve apparatus
attached to the outlet of the submersible pump. In this embodiment the
submersible pump is oil filled for greater insulation and sealing in a
submerged position.
In this embodiment of the invention, a in-line hose disconnect device is
provided for providing a quick relief for pressure build-up positioned
between the union check valve and the other end of the vacuum hose. The
disconnect device includes a male coupling extending from the outlet end
of the vacuum hose adapted to fit with an associated female coupling
element attached to the outlet port of the union check valve. Said
association being with a sliding fit adapted to slideably disengage in the
event of a pressure build up in the vacuum hose. In the event of pressure
build-up due to closing of the check control valve during continued
operation of the submersible pump, the male coupling slideably disconnects
from the female coupling thereby releasing water and releasing the
pressure build-up.
The union check valve device includes and inlet end and an outlet end, the
inlet end being constructed to engage the outlet of the submersible pump,
the outlet end being attached to a female coupling element, a hingeably
mounted check valve mounted in an inner chamber. An electrical cord is
connected to the submersible pump having a switch device provided for
remote controlled operation of the submersible pump when the submersible
pump is submerged and the electrical cord is connected to a conventional
electrical outlet by an operator.
The invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only in
connection with certain embodiments; however, it is recognized that those
persons skilled in the art may make various changes, modifications,
improvements and additions on the illustrated embodiments all without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the swimming pool filling system of the
invention showing the employment of the improved flow control apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the flow control apparatus of the invention shown
in sections;
FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the flow control
apparatus of the present invention shown in section; and
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the invention shown in FIG. 3, showing the
union check valve and the disconnect device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a swimming pool filling system
for water tubes 10 including a swimming pool 12 having a first and second
longitudinal platform edges 13 and a first and a second end platform edge
16, a cover 17, a plurality of longitudinal water tubes 18 and a plurality
of end water tubes 20, the cover 17 extending horizontally from the first
platform edge 14 to the second platform edge 16 and from the first end
platform edge to the second platform edge 16 to entirely cover the
swimming pool 12.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention with a
flow control apparatus 26 comprising a submersible pump 22 typically a
portable electrically powered submersible pump for positioning in the
swimming pool 12 below the surface of the water, a flexible length of
vacuum hose 24 having a one end and an other end, the one end being
attached to the submersible pump 22, the other end being attached to the
nozzle control apparatus 26 with a water tight sealable fit.
The nozzle control apparatus 26 comprises a nozzle 28, a valve housing 30
including a flow control chamber 32 having an inlet end and an outlet end
including a pair of opposed flexibly mounted check valves comprising a
control check valve 36 and an opposed check valve 38 mounted in the flow
control chamber 32 for movement between a closed air locking position and
an open flow position, a valve control piston 40 mounted in a passage way
provided in the inner grip section 44 of the valve housing 30 the nozzle
42 having a 90 degree bend. The housing 30 is provided with an annular
fitting 48 adapted to slideably fit in the end of the vacuum hose with a
shoulder 50. When water is introduced into vacuum hose 24 flowing from the
vacuum hose into the flow control apparatus 21 under pressure created by
submersible pump 22, check valve 38 swings open and away from its normal
resting position against check valve seat 58 to permit water to flow into
flow control chamber 32. Flow control chamber 32 is disposed between check
valve 38 and control check valve 36. Said control check valve depends from
a hinge fastener on the wall of the nozzle and is positioned to normally
rest against the control check valve seat 56, thereby preventing flow from
the flow control chamber 32 into the nozzle 28, control check valve. When
water enters the flow control chamber 30 it acts against the interior
surface of the check valve 36 to force it against check valve seat 56 to
prevent the flow of water out the nozzle 28. Check valve 38 is normally
open at all times that water is pumped through the vacuum hose from the
submersible pump to the nozzle 28. At such time as the submersible pump is
deenergized by a switch 52, water tends to return into the pool via the
vacuum hose creating a vacuum in the area of the annular fitting 48
causing the check valve 38 to close into the closed air locking position
from the normal open flow position, thereby preventing water from draining
from the vacuum hose.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate in an alternate embodiment a flow control
apparatus 62 comprising an oil-filled submersible pump 64, typically a
portable electrically powered submersible pump for positioning in the
swimming pool 12 below the surface of the water, a flexible length of
vacuum hose 24 having a one end and an other end, the one end 68 being
attached to a union check valve 70 attached in turn to an outlet port 66
of said submersible pump 64, the other end being attached to the nozzle
control apparatus 62.
The nozzle control apparatus 62 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a nozzle 28, a
valve housing 30 including a flow control chamber 32 having an inlet end
and an outlet end including a unitary check valve comprising a control
check valve 36 mounted in the flow control chamber 32 for movement between
a closed air locking position and an open flow position, a valve control
piston 40 mounted in a passage way provided in the inner grip section 44
of the valve housing 30. The housing 30 is provided with an annular
fitting 48 adapted to slideably fit in the end of the vacuum hose 24 with
a shoulder 50.
As shown in FIG. 4, the union check valve device 70 includes and inlet end
and an outlet end, the inlet end being attached to the outlet port 66 of
the oil-filled submersible pump 64, the outlet end being attached to an
in-line disconnect coupling 72. A hingeably mounted check valve 74 mounted
in an inner chamber 76 is provided in said union check valve 70. An
electrical cord 78 is connected to the oil-filled submersible pump 64
having a conventional on-off switch device 80 provided for remote
controlled operation of said submersible pump when submerged in the pool
12 and the electrical cord 78 is connected to a conventional electrical
outlet by an operator. In this embodiment, the operation of the oil-filled
submersible pump 64 is controlled by manual movement of the on-off switch
80 between an "on" position to energize said pump 64 and an "off" position
to de-energize said pump 64.
As shown in FIG. 4, the in-line hose disconnect device 72 includes a male
coupling 82 attached to the other end 68 of the vacuum hose 24 connected
with a sliding fit to a female coupling element 84 attached to the outlet
port 66 of the union check valve 70.
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